Acquisition of Two State-of-the-Art Electron Microscopes for Multi-User Core Facilities with Applications in the Biological and Physical Sciences, and Engineering

Iowa State University, Ames IA

Investigators

Abstract

A grant has been awarded to Iowa State University under the direction of Dr. Harry T. Horner to acquire a scanning transmission electron microscope for use in biological research and education. The instrument provides high resolution of a variety of specimen types, as well as x0ray microanalysis. Ancillary preparation instruments will allow the preservation and observation of frozen thin sections of specimens, which is necessary in research on immuno-sensitive specimens and nonbiological studies of films, polymers, and nanotubes. The instrument will provide a major upgrade to the biology microscopy center at the institution, which is used by more than 200 researchers from colleges and departments across the campus. Staff and students will be trained on this instrument, which will be available for undergraduate and graduate research coursework and research.